Horner: Red Bull ‘on target’ for first Formula One test

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has claimed the team is ready for the first test of the new Formula One season in Barcelona tomorrow.

After a disappointing campaign in 2015, which led to an engine change late in the year, the Milton Keynes based side will be hoping for improvements this time around.

And Horner, 42, praised the hard work of the team for getting the cars ready for the first test in Barcelona at the Circuit de Catalunya.

He said: “The current state of Red Bull Racing is one of flux at the moment. We’re busy preparing the car and everything so far is just about on target.

“The whole team’s worked incredibly hard over the winter period to regain the time that we lost during the latter part of last year, but touch wood everything so far is currently on schedule.

“It’s testimony to their hard work that we’ll be at the first test.”

Driver Daniil Kvyat will be racing for a second year for Red Bull and Horner is confident the young Russian’s performances will only get better after he replaced Sebastian Vettel before last season’s championship.

Horner added: “Daniil’s first season with the team last year was one of evolution for him, he’s still very young and only his second year of Grand Prix racing he was thrust into the limelight in a Red Bull Racing seat to replace Sebastian Vettel and I think he coped with that pressure pretty well.

“His performances grew and grew as the season went on, he finished the season ahead of points to Daniel Ricciardo, I think he gave a good account of himself and I think with the benefit of that experience going into what will be his third year, his second with the team, I think he’s going to have much more confidence, much more awareness of what’s coming.

“And hopefully we’ll be able to give him a better car and we’ll be able to continue to see his talent shine.